10th: Original Predator Scott Walker

Scott Walker was selected by Nashville in the Expansion Draft on June 26, 1998 as a role player, and left following the 2005-06 season as the franchise’s leader in goals (96), points (247) and penalty minutes (465). In that span, he developed into a fan favorite with his grit, hard work and physical play that helped the Preds from their infancy stages into a perennial contender.

“If there is such a thing as a founding fathers or foundation pieces, Scott Walker was one of the biggest pieces of the Predators history,” general manager David Poile said upon trading Walker to Carolina in exchange for Josef Vasicek on July 18, 2006. “His career blossomed here, where he got to play on a regular basis. He was a heart-and-soul type of a guy that gave it his all. He scored goals, he fought, he did a lot of different things, and for that we’ll always be grateful and appreciative.

Walker, a native of Cambridge, Ont., twice reached the 25-goal plateau (2000-01, 2003-04), a team record at the time, and posted a career-best 67 points in 2003-04, helping Nashville to its first playoff berth.

Walker’s name also appears in the record books for scoring the team’s first shorthanded goal (Oct. 24, 1998 vs. Chicago), the first player selected NHL Offensive Player of the Week (Dec. 22-28, 2003) and first home hat trick (Dec. 26, 2000 vs. Colorado).